The Albanese government’s decision to repatriate the family members of Islamic State fighters has been slammed as “irresponsible and offensive” by members of Western Sydney’s largest Assyrian community, many of whom fled Syria and Iraq to escape ISIS atrocities.

Plans to help floodproof western Sydney and save lives by raising the wall of Warragamba Dam have taken a giant leap forward, with Premier Dominic Perrottet declaring the project will be fast-tracked following 18 months of extreme weather.

Brittany Higgins faced Bruce Lehrmann on Wednesday  ACT Supreme Court and, the man she says sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious on a couch in the office of their boss – then-Coalition minister Linda Reynolds.

And..Manly chair and owner Scott Penn is jetting back into the country from New York to front a board meeting that will determine the future of coach Des Hasler with skipper Daly Cherry-Evans distancing himself from the saga yesterday.